How Does IPL Work?

Society seems to be increasingly moving towards a world that contains altogether less hair. Whether it’s just a shave of the armpits, or a full bikini and leg wax, more and more people are removing body and facial hair. And, it’s not just women anymore – the men are getting in on the act, too.

It’s no surprise, then, that hair removal businesses seem to be popping up constantly, promising to rid you of all the hair you don’t want, and, presumably, some that you do. As with all beauty products, there will be different options, but the most effective option for the banishment of body hair, is that of IPL treatment.How Does IPL Work?

IPL stands for intense pulsed light, and is a form of laser hair removal, which uses said lasers in order to rid you of your unwanted foliage. The procedure can also be used for certain skin treatments, such as improving the tone of the skin, removing tattoos, or removing spider veins.

The process works by targeting a specific part of the hair follicles – namely the Melanin that is in each one. This melanin is then heated which, in turn, damages the follicles themselves.
The procedure has a few caveats, however. It only works on hair that has a bit of colour to it, meaning white or grey hair likely won’t respond to the treatment. On the same note, the colour of the patient themselves can also affect the success, with the fair of skin and dark of hair most likely to get the best results.

Though you may not know it, your hair grows in cycles. This fact, combined with the fact that only the follicles in an active growth cycle are actually damaged, means that you would likely need to attend a number of sessions in order to permanently remove all hair from your person.

Will It Last?

Truthfully, there is usually some hair growth after Laser IPL treatment, albeit much finer hair, and growing at a much slower rate. This can be as much as twenty percent of the hair that should have been removed.

Certain practitioners have put forth the notion that it should be called hair reduction, rather than removal, but you do get the appearance for considerably longer, with the hairs being finer.
Be Safe
It is extremely important to check the situation in your area with regards to regulation, as there are a lot of places in the world that do not require officially trained staff in order to perform these kinds of procedures. The problem with under-trained staff is that this procedure can actually cause damage to the skin.

When you’re seeing a potential practitioner for this kind of procedure, don’t be afraid to ask them questions. Ask them what their credentials are. Ask how the IPL machine works. If the practitioner seems disgruntled, or testy, by the line of questioning, simply point out [politely] that he or she will be pointing a dangerous laser at your body from close range, and you want to make sure the practitioner knows what he’s doing.